7_Bill Gothard's Heresies EXPOSED!

Bill Gothard's Heresies EXPOSED!
자료출처 http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/bill_gothard.htm
 

The Medicine Man

Gothard has produced some twenty "Basic CARE" booklets/bulletins (24, including the Series Two booklets on medical philosophy) through ILBP's Medical Training Institute of America (MTIA). These booklets contain information and advice on a variety of medical topics. Gothard also presents diagnoses and cures for medical problems which, in some cases, could possibly cause serious harm -- even life-threatening consequences. It seems that some very risky and unwise choices can be made based on Bill Gothard's unclear and conflicting guidance in these matters. 

 

It is also clear that Gothard devalues the opinion of medical doctors, and by devaluing doctors' opinions in these matters, he removes the possibility of individuals making "wise" choices based on the most objective information available which has been provided by the doctors. Gothard declares, "Wise parents will not look at these circumstances from their point of view," i.e., doctors warning of possible serious complications, mental, and physical deformities, but will look instead "from God's bigger picture." How "God's bigger picture" becomes grasped by wise parents is not revealed. Many cult members have sacrificed their children and even their own lives on such subjective and presumptuous claims of having special knowledge of God's will. 

 

Another example of Bill Gothard's questionable medical teaching is found in his Basic CARE Bulletin #7. In this bulletin, "How to Avoid Unnecessary Cesarean Sections," in a section titled, "Getting a Word from the Lord," Romans 15:4 is quoted -- "For whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." One might well wonder how God speaks today through the Scriptures to any concerned couple to give direction about Cesarean Sections! Here in Bulletin #7, the answer is provided. "A couple who is contemplating a VBAC [Vaginal Birth After Cesarean] should ask the Lord to give them a specific portion of Scripture that they can claim for the birth. Both the father and the mother should memorize and meditate on this passage and use it to conquer any fear that may come during the pregnancy or delivery." (Unfortunately, this mystical approach to "getting a word from the Lord" to determine God's specific will, is similar to the kind of divination Scripture clearly condemns. Nowhere in the Bible is the above "tea leaves" method of reading Scripture taught as a way to discern God's will.) 

In the Basic Care Newsletter of January, 1996, it was actually reported that in two situations the existence of Cabbage Patch and Troll dolls in the home effectively prevented the mothers from giving birth! Once the offending toys were removed from the homes, the women were able to successfully give birth. The "cleansing of the home from evil influences," was credited to the attending midwives committed to Gothard's teaching. It is scary to think that a midwife's first inclination might be to "cleanse" a home of perceived evil influences, rather than call 911 in the midst of a challenging delivery. Attributing this much power to a doll goes beyond the pale of reason and lapses into pagan superstition.

 

Too much of the medical advice offered by Gothard in his materials prescribes a distinctively mystical approach to diagnosing and solving medical problems. The expression "medical training," under which banner these bulletins are published, is a misnomer. Such mystical advice cannot truly be deemed "medical" since it is far removed from any scientific foundation. Moreover, it is downright dangerous. (Excerpted and/or adapted from "Bill Gothard's Evangelical Talmud, Part 4: Bill Gothard's Mystical Approach to Medical Issues," by Marty Butz, The Midwest Christian Outreach Journal, September-October, 1998.)